Building Communities for Healthy Aging: The Role of Mobility, Transportation, and Technology

In Canada, 79% of respondents reported driving regularly or occasionally, while 11% had stopped driving. Among those who had stopped driving, the greatest challenges were completing daily errands (45%), visiting friends and family (41%), attending medical appointments (40%), and participating in social or leisure activities (38%). When asked what would have better supported them after they stopped driving, respondents most frequently identified more frequent public transportation (28%), transit routes that better connected them to healthcare, shopping, and other key destinations (27%), more affordable transportation options (25%), and support from family, friends, or community organizations (24%).

A similar pattern was observed in Japan, where 69% of respondents reported driving regularly or occasionally and 17% had stopped driving. However, the impacts of driving cessation appeared to differ from those observed in Canada. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of former drivers reported that stopping driving had resulted in no major change to their daily lives. This may partly reflect the concentration of respondents in more densely populated urban areas, where transportation alternatives are more readily available, and may not fully reflect the experiences of older persons in rural and regional areas of Japan. Among those who did experience challenges, daily errands (14%), participating in social or leisure activities (11%), visiting friends and family (10%), and attending medical appointments (10%) were most affected. The supports identified as most helpful included more frequent public transportation (34%), better transit routes to key destinations (33%), transit stops closer to home (31%), and more affordable transportation options (26%).

Canadian respondents generally reported positive perceptions of their communities. Most indicated that essential destinations were easy to reach from home, including grocery stores (95%), pharmacies (95%), medical centres or hospitals (83%), social or community spaces (83%), and family or friends (80%). While access to public transportation was also relatively high (77%), approximately one in ten respondents reported that transit was not available in their area. Most respondents described their neighbourhood as primarily residential (63%), while 32% lived in mixed-use neighbourhoods with nearby shops and services. Overall, 65% reported that their neighbourhood supports aging in place very or somewhat well, and 53% agreed that their city is designed in a way that makes it easy for older persons to get around.

Japanese respondents also reported high levels of access to essential destinations, with 94% indicating grocery stores, 92% pharmacies, 87% medical centres or hospitals, and 89% reporting that public transportation was easy to reach from home. Access to social or community spaces (80%) and family or friends (71%) also remained high. Compared with Canada, a larger proportion of respondents lived in mixed-use neighbourhoods that integrated housing, shops, and services (41% vs. 32%), while fewer lived in primarily residential communities (55% vs. 63%). However, only 43% reported that their neighbourhood supports aging in place, and just 25% agreed that their city is designed in a way that makes it easy for older persons to get around. These findings suggest that perceptions of age-friendly communities extend beyond physical proximity to services or transit.

Canadian respondents generally expressed positive attitudes toward technology and reported high levels of confidence using digital mobility tools. Overall, 76% felt very or somewhat confident using these technologies, and three-quarters (75%) agreed that technology helps them remain mobile and independent. Just over half (51%) also agreed that technology helps compensate for limitations in their neighbourhood or city design. Navigation applications (apps) were the most commonly used digital mobility tool (61%), followed by public transportation apps (24%), ride-hailing services (16%), and health or appointment portals (14%). However, one-quarter (26%) reported using none of these digital services. Similarly, more than half (54%) reported using no technologies specifically designed to support their personal mobility. Among those who did, activity-tracking wearables (26%), apps and reminders for daily life (15%), smart home devices (15%), and health-monitoring wearables (11%) were the most commonly used.

Japan is often viewed as a global leader in technology and innovation. However, findings from the survey suggest that the availability of technology does not necessarily translate into widespread adoption or confidence in its use. Overall, 62% of respondents felt very or somewhat confident using digital mobility tools, while 60% agreed that technology helps them remain mobile and independent. Only 36% agreed that technology helps compensate for limitations in their neighbourhood or city design. Similar to Canada, navigation apps (64%) were the most commonly used digital mobility tool, followed by public transportation apps (30%), ride-hailing services (11%), and health or appointment portals (9%), although nearly one-third (29%) reported using none of these digital services whatsoever. More than half (57%) also reported using no technologies to support their personal mobility. Among users, activity-tracking wearables (29%) were the most common, followed by health-monitoring wearables (12%), apps and reminders for daily life (8%), and smart home devices (8%).

Similar challenges were reported in Japan. Navigating busy or crowded spaces was the most common barrier (20%), followed by making transfers between transportation services (17%), understanding routes, schedules, or service changes (16%), and getting to appointments on time (12%).

Artificial intelligence (AI) represents the next evolution of connected mobility systems. As transportation networks become increasingly digital and interconnected, AI is enabling services to move beyond static infrastructure and fragmented platforms toward systems that can predict, personalize, and adapt in real time.

Respondents in both Canada and Japan expressed moderate levels of trust in digital and automated systems to support mobility, but were more comfortable with technologies that assist decision-making than those that replace human control entirely. In Canada, 59% reported trusting digital or automated systems either "a lot" or "somewhat," while 26% remained neutral and 15% expressed little or no trust. Trust was lower in Japan, where 49% reported trusting these systems, 35% were neutral, and 16% expressed little or no trust.

This difference was even more apparent when respondents were asked about specific technologies. In Canada, half (50%) reported feeling very or somewhat comfortable using AI-based trip-planning tools that recommend routes based on traffic, accessibility, or personal mobility needs. In contrast, only 24% felt comfortable using automated or self-driving vehicles, while 56% reported feeling somewhat or very uncomfortable. In Japan, only 24% reported feeling comfortable using AI-based trip-planning tools, and just 11% felt comfortable using automated or self-driving vehicles, compared with 69% who reported feeling somewhat or very uncomfortable. These findings suggest that building confidence in AI-enabled technology will depend on transparent system design, intuitive and accessible interfaces, clear communication about how AI supports rather than replaces human decision-making, and opportunities for older persons to develop familiarity with these technologies over time.

Respondents also identified clear opportunities to improve transportation technologies. In Canada, the most commonly identified improvements were lower costs (46%), the ability to speak with a real person when needed (38%), clearer instructions (28%), simpler interfaces with fewer steps (28%), and better integration across healthcare, transportation, and city services (24%). In Japan, respondents placed greater emphasis on usability, identifying clearer instructions (47%) and simpler interfaces (42%) as the highest priorities, followed by lower costs (35%), better accessibility features such as larger text and higher contrast (27%), and better integration across systems (21%).

As populations age, there is a growing market for solutions that help older persons drive safely for longer while also supporting a smooth transition to other forms of transportation when driving is no longer preferred or possible.  

Innovation opportunities: 

• Develop technologies that support safer driving, including driver-assistance systems, in-vehicle health and safety monitoring, and navigation systems designed for age-related needs. 

• Build services that make the transition away from driving easier, including on-demand community shuttles, volunteer driver programs, concierge transportation, and tools that connect driving with public transit and ride-sharing. 

• Recognize older persons as a key consumer market by designing mobility products and services around their needs, preferences, and purchasing power.  
   

Mobility extends beyond transportation. The ability to find accessible routes, navigate the built environment, and connect with nearby services can determine whether older persons are able to participate fully in their communities and maintain their independence. 

Innovation opportunities:

• Develop tools that provide real-time accessibility information, such as accessible entrances, elevator outages, sidewalk conditions, and other barriers that can affect a journey. 

• Connect older persons with nearby healthcare, recreation, community services, and other resources that support independent living. 

• Tap into the growing longevity market by developing navigation and community-access solutions that address the needs of older persons. As this population grows, so does its economic influence and demand for products and services that support mobility, accessibility, and independent living. 

Transportation, healthcare, and community services often operate separately, requiring older persons to navigate multiple systems to meet their everyday needs. Innovators have an opportunity to reduce this complexity by connecting services around the individual. 

Innovation opportunities:

• Develop Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms that integrate public transit, ride-hailing, community transportation, and payment systems. 

• Connect mobility with healthcare through tools that coordinate transportation with medical appointments or combine trip planning, scheduling, accessibility information, and community resources in one place. 

• Prioritize interoperability and affordability so that technologies work across providers and respond to diverse mobility needs. 

Older persons are not a single, uniform user group. Mobility technologies must accommodate a wide range of physical, sensory, cognitive, and technological abilities. Involving older persons throughout product development can improve usability, trust, and adoption while reducing the need for redesign after implementation. 

Innovation opportunities: 

• Co-design with older persons throughout design, development, and evaluation so products reflect real-world needs and preferences. 

• Prioritize intuitive interfaces, clear instructions, minimal cognitive demands, and accessibility features. 

• Design for a broader market. Universal design can benefit older persons, people with disabilities, care partners, and people experiencing temporary or changing mobility needs.  

As AI becomes more commonly integrated into transportation systems, the opportunity may lie less in replacing human decision-making and more in helping people make mobility decisions with greater confidence.  

Innovation opportunities: 

• Prioritize AI-enabled navigation, trip planning, and decision-support tools that help users make informed travel decisions while maintaining control over their journeys. 

• Build trust through transparency and user control, including recommendations that can be easily understood and overridden. 

• Combine personalization with intuitive interfaces, accessible design, and the ability to connect with a real person when needed to strengthen confidence and long-term adoption. 

Driving remains an important source of independence for many older persons, but mobility needs can change over time. Policy should support safe driving while ensuring that transitioning away from driving does not mean losing access to healthcare, essential services, employment, or community life. 

Policy opportunities: 

• Pair licensing assessments, driver education, and road safety initiatives with continued investment in accessible public transit, community transportation, and age-friendly community design. 

• Build population aging into long-term infrastructure and fiscal planning. Investing in accessible mobility can support independence and aging in place while helping reduce pressure on healthcare, long-term care, and other public services. 

• Ensure older persons have viable alternatives to driving so they can remain socially connected, engaged in their communities, and able to access healthcare and essential services throughout the life course. 

Where people live can determine how easily they remain independent and engaged as they age. Accessible housing, walkable neighbourhoods, safe pedestrian infrastructure, reliable public transportation, and nearby community services can support aging in place while enabling older persons to continue contributing socially and economically. 

Policy opportunities: 

• Invest in accessible housing, universal design, walkable neighbourhoods, safe pedestrian infrastructure, reliable public transportation, and integrated community services. 

• Recognize mobility and community infrastructure as part of the broader healthy aging ecosystem. These investments can help older persons remain employed, volunteer, provide unpaid caregiving, access preventive healthcare, and participate in local economies and community life. 

• Prioritize investment where age-friendly infrastructure gaps are greatest. Expanding accessible housing and community-based services can support aging in place, reduce demand for more costly forms of care, and strengthen the sustainability of public systems. 

Fragmented transportation, healthcare, and community services can make everyday mobility complex, particularly when people must navigate separate providers, booking systems, and payment systems. 

Policy opportunities: 

• Support interoperability and cross-sector collaboration among municipalities, transportation agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations. 

• Make affordability a core component of mobility policy. Digital tools can make transportation easier to navigate, but their benefits will remain out of reach if the transportation options themselves are unaffordable. 

• Invest in integrated and affordable mobility systems that make it easier for older persons to access healthcare and community services while supporting more efficient, sustainable, and person-centred models of care as demand for health and long-term care grows. 

Transportation systems and technologies are more likely to be accessible, trusted, and usable when the people who rely on them are involved in their design.  

Policy opportunities: 

• Embed co-design requirements into public procurement, funding, and evaluation processes for transportation technologies and services. 

• Engage older persons and care partners throughout planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. 

• Promote universal design standards, accessible digital services, and digital literacy initiatives so that transportation systems remain usable across different physical, sensory, cognitive, and technological abilities and throughout the life course. 

As AI becomes more commonly integrated into transportation and mobility systems, policy frameworks will need to ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of accessibility, privacy, transparency, or user control.  

Policy opportunities: 

• Establish governance frameworks and standards for transparency, accessibility, privacy, and oversight in AI-enabled mobility systems. 

• Invest in digital literacy so older persons have the knowledge and confidence to understand and use emerging mobility technologies. 

• Encourage collaboration among transportation agencies, technology developers, healthcare systems, and community organizations to ensure AI-enabled solutions are trustworthy, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of aging populations.